The Shroud of Turin: The Passion of Christ Revealed

"He was bruised for our iniquities; the

chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

and by His stripes we are healed."

- Isaiah 53:5

With Holy Week just around the corner, I thought it an opportune time to post about one of the Church’s most precious artifacts (and one of my personal favorites); a major relic that, when properly understood, inspires deeper appreciation from its viewers for the terrible sufferings our Lord endured during his Passion.  The Santa Sindone, better known as the Holy Shroud of Turin (simply called the "Shroud" for the rest of this blog) is one of the most venerated relics in the history of Christianity ... but what exactly is it?  The Shroud is a centuries-old sheet that mysteriously bears the faint image of a man believed to be Jesus.  Revered by Christians and scrutinized by science, its history is a rich tapestry of faith, mystery, and controversy.

Origins and Early History

The Shroud is a linen cloth measuring approximately 14 feet long and 3.5 feet wide, on which can be seen on its surface, the front and back image of a completely nude man who suffered crucifixion, along with other tortures.  The image shows wounds consistent with scourging, a crown of thorns, a shoulder wound, and nail marks in the wrists and feet.  Given its alignment with the Gospel narratives of the Passion, for many Christians, especially Catholics, this cloth is believed to be the burial shroud of none other than our Lord, Himself, that's mentioned in various parts of the New Testament such as John 19:40; Mark 15:46; and Matthew 27:59.

"So Joseph (of Arimathea) bought

some linen cloth, took down the body,

wrapped it in the linen, and placed it

in a tomb cut out of rock.  Then he

rolled a stone against the entrance

of the tomb."

- Mark 15:46

The earliest known reference to a linen matching the Shroud dates to the 6th century in the city of Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey), where a relic known as the "Image of Edessa" or the "Mandylion" (the "holy towel") was venerated.  Some scholars suggest this may have been the Shroud folded to show only the face.  It was reportedly transferred to Constantinople in 944 AD, where it was kept until the city was sacked during the Fourth Crusade in 1204.  After that, its whereabouts are uncertain until it reappears in the 14th century in France.

Medieval Appearance and Journey to Turin

The Shroud surfaced in the historical record in the 1350s in Lirey, France, in the possession of a knight named Geoffroi de Charny.  It was displayed publicly and quickly drew both veneration and skepticism.  In 1389, Bishop Pierre d'Arcis of Troyes wrote a memorandum to Pope Clement VII claiming the image was a painted forgery.  Despite this, the Pope allowed its display as a devotional object, not as a confirmed relic.

A closer view of the two images on the Shroud:

the front of the Man (left) and the back.

The cloth passed through various hands, eventually coming into the possession of the House of Savoy in 1453.  It was moved to Turin, Italy, in 1578, where it has remained ever since, enshrined in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  Over the centuries, it has survived fires, repairs, and intense scrutiny.

Scientific Investigations

Since the advent of modern imaging and dating technologies the Shroud has been the subject of extensive scientific study.  In 1898, amateur photographer Secondo Pia took the first photograph of the Shroud and discovered that the image on the cloth - particularly the face - appeared more lifelike in the photographic negative than in the positive—suggesting the image itself was a kind of natural negative.

In 1988, radiocarbon dating tests conducted by laboratories in Oxford, Zurich, and Arizona dated the cloth to between 1260 and 1390 AD, aligning with its first documented appearance in France.  This led many to conclude it was a medieval creation rather than a genuine biblical artifact.  However, later investigations have confirmed that the samples used were actually snipped from a repaired section of the cloth after it was damaged in a fire in 1532.  The effects of the fire, itself, could have produced skewed radiocarbon dating results making the 1988 test results unreliable.

The Man of the Shroud suffered terribly,

yet His face reflects majesty and peace!

Subsequent studies examining the anatomy of the Man, the bloodstains, pollen grains, and textile structure have concluded with results strongly supporting the Shroud's probable authenticity - for example:

• The image is not a painting; it bears no trace of paint or pigment.  How it was formed remains a mystery to this day.  Certain scientists speculate the image was the result of a photographic-like imprint caused by a tremendous burst of energy from an undetermined source.  The Resurrection?

• The Shroud's weave is ancient, matching early Middle Eastern textiles not found in medieval Europe, but depicted in pre-medieval art (the 12th-century Pray Codex).

• The Shroud image's appearance is consistent with a man in his 30s; the right arm and shoulder is slightly more muscular than the left suggesting he was right-handed and worked in manual labor (Jesus was a carpenter) ... and His long hairstyle and facial hair was common among Jewish men of Christ's time.

• Bloodstains are comprised of human blood - rare Type AB blood - and the patterns in which they appear on the cloth is forensically how blood would normally flow and coagulate on a corpse (NOTE: Bleeding Eucharistic Miracles analyzed by science are also Type AB blood!).

• The Man suffered nail wounds to his wrists, versus the palms, as it is generally depicted in pious art since circa 420 AD.  This actually conforms with Roman crucifixion methods.  Furthermore, missing thumbs on the Man's hands are consistent with injury to the median nerve due to the nails puncturing the wrists, which would cause the thumbs to involuntarily press into the center of the palms; a detail unknown in medieval art but in line with modern forensic pathology (NOTE: The injury to the nerve caused excruciating pain not just in the wrists but throughout the entire body).

• The small barbell-shaped marks of the scourge wounds seen throughout the Man's body conform with a torture/whipping instrument used by the Romans called the Flagrum.

• Pollen grains found on the Shroud are from dozens of plant species from the Near East, many unique to Jerusalem or Anatolia, consistent with a cloth that traveled from the Levant through the Mediterranean.  The pollen found on the head area are from a shrub in Palestine known to have thorns!

• In addition to pollen, subtle images of flowers native to the Judean region have been observed on the Shroud, including the chrysanthemum and rock rose, which were known to have been used in ancient Middle Eastern funeral rites.  These flowers and their pollen were mainly concentrated around the head of the Man.

• Tiny limestone particles discovered imbedded in the fabric are identical in composition to limestone caverns in the Jerusalem area (NOTE: Caves were commonly utilized as tombs by the ancients - again refer to Mark 15:46).

• Images of coins over the eyelids (not readily visible to the naked eye) indicate the presence of Pontius Pilate lepta coins (circa 30 A.D.) placed over the Man's eyes, a 1st-century Judean burial practice!

• The total combination of wounds, trauma, and death mechanisms of the Man is statistically improbable except in the biblical account of the Roman crucifixion suffered by Jesus

Religious and Cultural Significance

Regardless of all the controversy, the Shroud endures as a powerful symbol of faith.  It is publicly displayed for veneration only occasionally, most recently in 2015 and virtually in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Millions have viewed it, and it remains a focal point of pilgrimage and devotion ... and cures have even been reported through it such as the 1954 healing of 11-year-old Josie Wollam of England, from a terminal bone disease, after she touched the reliquary enclosing the Shroud.

Despite the remarkable scientific findings and cures supporting the Shroud's legitimacy, the Catholic Church has never officially declared it to be the authentic burial cloth of Jesus.  Rather, it encourages veneration of it as a representation of Christ’s suffering.  Pontiffs, including Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis have all expressed reverence for the Shroud, emphasizing its spiritual value regardless of its origin.

The Santa Sudarium

The Sudarium of Oviedo—venerated in the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo, Spain, and alleged to be the cloth that covered the face of Jesus after the Crucifixion that's mentioned in the Book of John—has long intrigued both the Faithful and researchers.  In recent years, as a result of scientific studies, it has become closely associated with the Shroud because of its striking correspondences with it.

"Then Simon Peter came along behind him

and went straight into the tomb.  He saw the

strips of linen lying there, and the cloth that

had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.

The cloth was still lying in its place,

separate from the linen."

- John 20:6-7

While the Sudarium (seen above) bears no image, it contains bloodstains and fluid patterns that perfectly align with the facial wounds and blood flows visible on the Shroud.  Studies comparing the two relics have noted matching blood type, compatible wound locations, and congruent folding and placement traditions that trace back to early Christian communities.  The convergence of historical tradition, forensic analysis, and pattern correspondence has made the Sudarium an important companion artifact in the broader investigation of the Shroud’s origins and authenticity.

The Connection to the Holy Face Devotion

In the mid-20th century, the face on the Shroud became synonymous with the Holy Face Devotion revealed to Bl. Maria Pierina de Micheli (d. 1945).  In a series of private apparitions, Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary urged the nun to spread this devotion, via a special medal featuring the face of Christ.  In 1940, she was given Church-permission to produce the medals and chose the image from the Shroud for its design (see below).  The Holy Face Medal is to be worn as an "armor of defense" and a means of obtaining the salvation of souls through contemplating the Lord's face disfigured by the Passion. 

 

The decision to use the Shroud image by a Church-approved visionary, who witnessed the Lord's actual face on multiple occasions, is significant.  Furthermore, the devout use of the Holy Face Medal has occasioned countless signal graces, as promised by our Lord.  It all adds another layer of likelihood to the Shroud's authenticity.  

Bl. Maria Pierina was not the only saintly soul who held the Shroud in high regard.  Other holy individuals who've venerated it include St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, St. John Bosco, Padre Domenico of Cese, Pope St. John Paul II, Bl. Maria Pia Mastena, Ven. Hildebrand Gregori, and the astounding Servant of God Maria Concetta Pantusa, just to name a few.

ABOVE:  The mystic and stigmatic, Maria Concetta

Pantusa, and the copy of the Shroud that wept

blood in her home in Airola, Italy.

BELOW:  A.I.-generated images of the Holy Face,

as revealed on the Shroud.

"My beloved daughter!  I would like My image (Shroud

copies) to be widely distributed.  I want to enter into every

family, to convert the hardest hearts.  Take Me to hospitals

and shelters, to schools and kindergartens.  Speak to

everyone of My infinite mercy and love."

- Jesus to Maria Concetta, 1947

Conclusion

In closing, the Shroud of Turin is a relic that bridges the realms of faith and science.  Whether its enigmatic images are seen as a miraculous imprint or a medieval artifact, it continues to inspire awe, inquiry, and devotion across the world.  Through the Shroud, the Passion of Christ is vividly revealed in all its painful and bloody details; visibly testifying to the boundless love that Jesus expended to save us from our sins.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his

only Son, that whoever believes in him should

not perish but have eternal life."

- John 3:16

The Mystery of Bilocating Saints

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, the lives of our many Saints have borne witness to extraordinary and unique signs of God’s presence and power.  Among the most mysterious of these phenomena is Bilocation - the reported ability of certain people to be present in two different places at the same time.  While one may struggle with such accounts, Bilocation has been well-documented in the lives of several Saints and holy individuals, often corroborated by reliable witnesses and ecclesiastical investigations.  Far from being magical feats, these occurrences are understood by the Church as charisms, or gratuitous gifts of God, granted for the salvation of souls and the building up of the Mystical Body of Christ.

Bilocation in Catholic Theology

In Catholic mysticism, Bilocation is not viewed as a natural human ability, nor as something a person can do at will.  Rather, it is considered an extraordinary mystical charism permitted by God, usually in moments of great spiritual need.  The Church teaches that God, who is omnipotent and not bound by space or time, may allow certain individuals to participate momentarily in His divine action for a specific purpose.  As such, bilocation does not contradict reason or faith, though it transcends ordinary experience.

Still, importantly, the Church approaches claims of Bilocation with caution.  Such phenomena are never the basis for Canonization on their own; instead, they are examined alongside a candidate’s heroic virtue, orthodoxy, humility, and obedience.  Authentic Bilocation is typically marked by profound charity, spiritual fruit, and a complete absence of self-promotion.  The following are some of the most well-known and best documented cases of the phenomenon:

St. Anthony of Padua (d. 1231)

A Saint commonly associated with bilocation is this renowned preacher and Doctor of the Church.  One account describes Anthony entering into ecstasy in a church, in full view of the congregation, while simultaneously being seen/heard preaching to another crowd at a different location (illustrated above).  Still, in another case, he reportedly bilocated to Lisbon, Portugal, to defend his own father in court against false charges.  These events occurred in the context of his tireless preaching against heresy and moral corruption.

St. Francis Xavier (d. 1552)

The great Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier was reported by contemporaries to have appeared simultaneously in multiple villages across Asia while evangelizing India and Japan.  Some witnesses claimed to have received instruction or encouragement from Xavier in places where historical records show he could not have been physically present.

These accounts arose in the context of intense missionary labor, where vast distances and limited communication made such reports all the more striking.  The purpose of these alleged bilocations was consistently pastoral: preaching the Gospel, strengthening the faithful, and calling souls to repentance.

St. Martin de Porres (d. 1639)

Known for his humility and love for the poor, this great Peruvian holy man was said to have bilocated to Africa, China, Japan, and the Philippines while never leaving his Dominican monastery in Lima.  Fellow friars also testified that Martin would suddenly appear in locked rooms to minister to the sick, while being engaged in his daily chores elsewhere in the monastery.  Furthermore, he sometimes made specific comments about personally witnessing certain practices in far-off lands - especially medical procedures that he performed, himself - despite not having once left Peru.

What is particularly notable in St. Martin’s case is that witnesses in those distant places later described a dark-skinned Dominican friar matching his appearance who spoke to them of Christ - despite no missionaries being present at the time.

Venerable Maria de Jesus of Agreda (d. 1665)

Astounding incidences of bilocation are also recorded in the remarkable life of this Spanish Franciscan Conceptionist nun.  Incredibly, between 1621 to 1631, she was said to have been sent by our Lord, over 500 times, to parts of the southwest region of the USA to prepare the native inhabitants for the imminent arrival of the Spanish missionaries.  She would descend from the sky to teach them basic catechism, and became so familiar amongst the people, that they named her the "Lady in Blue" (her nuns wear a sky blue mantle as depicted below).

Maria relayed her mystical travels to her Franciscan confessor, who in turn, reported them to his superiors, which sparked an investigation by the Franciscan field missionary, Fray Alonso de Benevides.  The friar documented how his missionary team had on several occasions been surprised by bands of Indians seeking them out for baptism after being instructed to do so by the Lady in Blue.  Fray Alonso later learned about Sr. Maria of Jesus and went to see her upon returning to Spain.  He questioned her about the native people, their customs, and the terrain of the new world to which the nun answered with such accuracy, it left no doubt in the missionary's mind that Sr. Maria was indeed the mysterious lady of whom the Indians told him about.

St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori (d. 1787)

A case involving St. Alphonsus, Doctor of the Church and founder of the Redemptorists, occurred in 1774.  While gravely ill and confined to his bed in Arienzo, Italy, Alphonsus was reportedly seen in Rome assisting Pope Clement XIV while the Pontiff lay on his deathbed.  Multiple witnesses, including members of the papal household, testified to seeing Alphonsus present and interacting with the dying Pope.

When questioned later, St. Alphonsus had no recollection of physically traveling to Rome but described experiencing an intense ecstasy at the time.  Church authorities carefully investigated the incident, and the testimonies were deemed credible.  This case remains one of the strongest historical examples of bilocation recognized by the Church.

St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (d. 1968)*

Perhaps the most widely known modern saint associated with bilocation is Padre Pio, the famous Capuchin friar marked by the Stigmata.  Numerous accounts - some from military officers, physicians, and fellow clergy - report Padre Pio appearing in distant locations while physically remaining in his friary in San Giovanni Rotondo.

During World War II, numerous Allied pilots claimed that a friar resembling Padre Pio appeared in the sky over Italy, preventing them from bombing certain towns.  In another instance, Padre Pio was reportedly seen hearing confessions or offering spiritual counsel in places he had never physically visited.  When asked about these occurrences, he responded with humility and discretion, often deflecting attention away from himself.  In at least one case - a bilocation to a woman in Wisconsin, USA - the Saint even placed his stigmatized hand on her bedsheet to leave a bloodstain, when she asked him to leave proof of his visit!

Servant of God, Fortunata "Natuzza" Evolu (d. 1997)*

Lastly, this humble peasant laywoman (shown below) - a wife and mother - is amongst the most gifted of modern mystics, whose numerous bilocations have been attested to by dozens of witnesses who have benefitted from her ministry.  She was a bishop-approved visionary and Stigmatic who was often sent by the Lord to various destinations to heal, counsel, or perform important acts of charity while at the same time remaining in her home in Calabria, Italy.

For example, there was account of a certain elderly mother who was praying to the Blessed Virgin for the cure of her gravely ill daughter when Natuzza suddenly appeared.  The mystic, undoubtedly sent by Our Lady, prayed over the sick patient who was soon after healed.  There were many such reports.

The list of mystics compiled above is by no means complete - other names of bilocating mystics include Adrienne Von Speyer*; Bl. Agnes of Jesus*; Bl. Alexandrina Maria da Costa*; Bl. Ana of Monteagudo; Bl. Andrew Hibernon; Ven. Anfrosina Berardi; St. Angelo of Acri*; Bl. Anna Katherina Emmerich*; Bl. Anna Rosa Gattorno*; St. Anna Schaffer*; St. Antonio Galvao de Franca; Antonio Ruffini*; Little Audrey Marie Santo*; Bl. Beatrice of Kochem; St. Benedict Joseph Labre; Ven. Padre Berardo Atonna; Bl. Bernardo of Offida; St. Catherine dei Ricci*; St. Colette of Corbie*; Bl. Columba of Rieti; Padre Dolindo Ruotolo*; Ven. Domenica Lazzeri*; Bl. Edvige Carboni*; Bl. Esperanza of Jesus*; St. Faustina Kowalska*; St. Francis of Assisi*; Padre Francisco del Castillo; St. Gaetano Errico; St. Gerard Majella*; Bl. Giovanna of Orvieto*; Bl. Giovanna Maria Bonomo*; Padre Giulio Castelli; St. Jacinta Marto of Fatima; St. John Bosco; Joseph Thamby*; St. Lydwina of Scheidam*; Maria Tartaglino*; Sr. Maria de Jesus de Leon Delgado*; Madre Maria Candida de San Augustin*; Madre Maria de los Dolores y Patrocinio*; Sr. Maria Columba Schonath*; Maria Esperanza Bianchini of Betania*; Maria Giuliana of the Blessed Sacrament*; Bl. Maria Grazia Tarallo of the Passion*; Sr. Maria Lanceata Morelli*; Bl. Maria Pilar Izquierdo Albero*; Bl. Maria Romero Meneses; Maria Teresa Carloni*; St. Mariam of Jesus Crucified*; Bl. Mariantonia Sama; Marie Julie Jahenny*; Sr. Marie Marguerite of the Angels*; Madre Marie Marthe Vandeputte*; Marie Rose Ferron*; Bro. Nazareno Zucca of Pula; Madre Passitea Crogi*; St. Paul of the Cross*; Rafaela Leonetti*; Madre Ramona Maria Llimargas Soler*; Sr. Rita Montella of the Holy Spirit*; Ven. Archbishop Teofilo Camomot; Ven. Madre Teresa Solari*; Teresa Helena Higginson*; Therese Neumann*; Bl. Tiburcio Arnaiz Munoz; Sr. Ursula Micaela Morata*; St. Vincent Pallotti; and Sr. Yvonne Aimee de Malestroit* ... and, allegedly, the famous Irish missionary nun, Sr. Briege McKenna, who is still alive as of this post and has a powerful healing ministry.

NOTE:  The names mentioned above that are followed by a red asterisk (*) are known to have been mystics who were marked with the Sacred Stigmata.  How interesting is it that most who were gifted with Bilocation were these rare souls who resembled the Lord most completely through intimate participation in His Passion?

Bilocations Captured on Camera?

Obviously, in the cases of early bilocating mystics, Church investigations could only rely on sworn testimonies from witnesses, many of whom possessed characters beyond reproach and/or had nothing to gain from lying (e.g. St. Philip Neri vouched for the bilocation visits made to him by St. Catherine dei Ricci).  However, the advent of photography, has dramatically changed how we record events, including alleged miracles.  The bilocations of at least two modern mystics were visibly documented, further testifying to the veracity of the phenomenon - see below:

ABOVE:  Leonie Van Den Dijck* (L), the Marian visionary

& Stigmatic of Onkerzele, Belgium, appeared in this photo with

her granddaughter despite not being with her at the time it was

taken.  The girl, however, felt her grandmother's presence

(note Leonie's missing feet).

BELOW:  Capuchin Mystic & Stigmatic, Padre Domenico of

Cese* was captured on film footage at St. Padre Pio's funeral in

San Giovanni Rotondo, while simultaneously meeting with

pilgrims at the Holy Face Shrine in Manopello, Italy,

where he lived.

Discernment and Spiritual Meaning

The Church emphasizes that such extraordinary gifts must never distract from the heart of the Christian life: holiness, charity, and union with Christ.  Saints themselves often viewed these phenomena as burdens rather than honors.  Authentic mystics consistently demonstrated obedience to Church authority, deep humility, and a desire to remain hidden.

Bilocation, when genuine, serves as a sign, not an end in itself.  It points to God’s sovereignty, His closeness to human suffering, and His ability to act beyond the limits of nature.  As St. Paul reminds us, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).

         

Three modern Priests - little-known Servants of God -

who experienced Bilocation: Padre Berardo Atonna, Padre

Dolindo Ruotolo, and Ven. Archbishop Teofilo Camomot

Conclusion

The accounts of Bilocation in the lives of Catholic Saints invite believers not merely to marvel at the miraculous, but to reflect on the nearness of God and the radical availability of those who surrender themselves entirely to His will.  These Saints remind us that holiness transcends space and time - not through human power, but through divine grace.  Ultimately, Bilocation stands as a testimony to the truth that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

An "Incorruptible" in America? (UPDATED 5/29/2023)

There's an interesting piece of news that's currently being widely circulated among Catholic websites and private circles - it has to do with an American nun-founder from Gower, Missouri, named Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster.  She died in 2019... and her body was discovered incorrupt this past week during its transfer into the chapel of her congregation.  (Note: Her corpse was never embalmed!)

Below is an article that was emailed to me this morning and I have to say - it's quite compelling!

I've never heard of this nun prior to this morning and I'm sure there are many others like me... so here's a brief bio about Sr. Wilhelmina that I gathered from online sources: She was born Mary Elizabeth Lancaster on April 13, 1924 and, starting from the age of 2, she was alleged to have experienced a few private visits from Our Lady.  Then, at her First Holy Communion in April 1934, she had a decisive mystical experience involving Jesus, who invited her to be His; immediately enamored with our Lord, the youngster said "Yes".

At 13, Mary Elizabeth decided that she wanted to become a nun.  She entered the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1941 - taking Sr. Wilhelmina, as her religious name - and was a teaching Sister for several decades in various US cities.

In 1995, at the age of 70, Sr. Wilhelmina left the Oblates to follow an apparent divine inspiration, which was to establish a new conservative and contemplative community called the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles; she was its first prioress.

A staunch traditionalist at heart, the founder’s long life was marked by a deep love for Jesus and a reverence for the Latin Mass... along with a strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin who she sought to emulate.  Her faith-example left a lasting positive impression upon those who knew her.

Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster in life.

Sr. Wilhelmina Lancaster died on May 29, 2019 with a beaming smile on her face and a reputation for sanctity.  As the article states, she was 95 at the time of her passing.

Although the preliminary information we have about this nun looks promising that we're dealing with a genuine miracle here (her life reads similar to many of the Beatified/Canonized founders already featured in this blog), the Church ultimately has the final say.

Moving forward, it's going to be interesting and exciting to see if graces and favors will be reported through the deceased founder's intercession; whether a formal investigation will be initiated by the Diocese in regards to her remains or whether a Cause for Canonization for Sr. Wilhelmina will eventually result from all this.  Remember - nothing happens by chance.

In the meantime, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the local Bishop in Missouri!

* * *  U P D A T E  * * *

A local mortician and funeral home owner - Jack Klein - who issued Sr. Wilhelmina's death certificate and was present at her burial, has confirmed that the nun's body was never embalmed.  He was also quoted as saying that he "can't understand" how her body is in the preserved state it's in given the circumstances of her burial.

The local Bishop - Bishop James Johnston, Jr. - is also quite aware of the situation and has issued a statement of which the full text is found here.  In short, at this point in time, he has not committed to an investigation of any sort, but wisely invites prayer:

  "I invite all the Faithful to continue praying during this time of evaluation and determination for God’s will in the lives of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles; for all women religious; and all the baptized in our common vocation to holiness, with hope and trust in the Lord."

Crowds are still flocking to the monastery to view the body of Sr. Wilhelmina up close, and to touch it, while they still can through the end of May.  In June, the sisters will be enclosing their founder’s body in a glass-sided urn, especially constructed for it, through which pilgrims may still view the remains.

To read more about the phenomenon of

Saintly Incorruptibility, click/tap here.

Mexico Pilgrimage, April 2023 - Part II: Relics and Other Wonders

In this blog - Part II of my 3-part series about my Mexican pilgrimage - I will focus on sacred relics and other miraculous images I saw on this trip.  Let us begin...

THE CHURCH OF SANTIAGO TLATELOLCO, MEXICO CITY

     

The outside of Santiago Tlatelolco and

the baptismal font where St. Juan Diego

and other converts were baptized.

This site is technically not a relic or a miracle, but it is a special place closely connected to the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego.  This Franciscan church, built on a dismantled Aztec temple, and its adjacent monastery was the center of the Faith in Mexico at the time of the apparitions.   In fact, this is where Juan Diego received religious instruction and was baptized in a large stone basin still found within the church; he was on his way here when the Virgin appeared.  And, according to our tour guide, the Saint also opened his Tilma to Bishop Juan de Zumarraga at this location, revealing the miraculous roses and the image of Our Lady.

So, being a die-hard devotee of the Virgin of Guadalupe, this place took on a profound personal significance.  The site made the Guadalupe Apparitions story more real and alive for me and, in a strange but good way, I felt I was part of the Tilma's history during the time we spent in this church.  For other Guadalupanas out there, it's a place definitely worth visiting.

THE BRONZE CRUCIFIX OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE - BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, MEXICO CITY

Another object of devotion found in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a large bronze crucifix in a display case in the right wing of the church (shown below).  The crucifix is considered special because of an event that occurred on November 14, 1921.

On that fateful day, anti-clerical government agents conspired to destroy the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe by planting a bomb in a vase directly under the holy image when it was enshrined in the old basilica.  The bomb went off, blowing out windows in the basilica; destroying parts of the altar and sanctuary; and bending backwards the crucifix that stood near the altar through the sheer force of the explosion.  The Tilma, however, was miraculously untouched; its glass covering remaining intact.

After the bombing, many attributed the inexplicable preservation of the Tilma to the crucifix; suggesting that our Lord, through the crucifix, "absorbed" the impact of the explosion to protect his mother's image.  It's been venerated ever since with pilgrims leaving written petitions beside it in the new basilica, as shown in the above-photo.

RELIC OF ST. JOSE SANCHEZ DEL RIO - BASILICA OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, MEXICO CITY

Although the major portion of his bodily relics are conserved in Sahuayo, Michoacan, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe there can also be found a reliquary with a large bone fragment from the remains of St. Jose Sanchez del Rio.  It is located in a display case mounted on a wall in the right wing of the basilica.

In front of St. Jose's reliquary

For those not familiar with his life, St. Jose was a devout youth who fought on the side of the rebels against the anti-clerical Mexican Government during the Cristero War.  He was captured on the battlefield after giving up his own horse to another soldier so the man could escape.   Jose was subsequently threatened then tortured by his jailers in an effort to force him to renounce the Catholic Faith, but the boy heroically remained steadfast.  Instead, he prayed constantly during his captivity and wrote to his mother expressing his willingness and resignation to die for Christ.

Jose was shot to death on February 10, 1928, at the young age of 14.  Recognized as an official Martyr of the Church, Jose was Canonized on October 16, 2016.  Devotion to him has since spread throughout the globe, making him a role-model of faith and courage for Catholics of all ages.

EL SENOR DEL VENENO - METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL, MEXICO CITY

Upon entering the grand Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, one will see to the immediate left, a section railed off from the rest of the church, but still accessible to the public through a designated opening.  At the front of this area is a striking, near-life-sized black crucifix, which gave me a sense of the supernatural as soon as I looked at it.  So I asked our local tour guide, Vero, about it and she explained that the crucifix was considered miraculous and revered in the city because it once used to be pale in color but mysteriously turned black.

I did some quick googling and found additional details about the image... and what I learned was fascinating!

The crucifix is called by two names:  El Cristo Negro (the Black Christ) or El Senor del Veneno (the Lord of the Venom/Poison) and it was handcrafted sometime in the 17th century by an indigenous craftsman.  The statue was originally installed in the Chapel of Porta Coelli (Gate of Heaven), where it was venerated by the chapel's Dominican custodians.  In particular, there was a priest who was highly devoted to the crucifix, and who made it a point to pray daily before it then, afterwards, kissing the foot of the corpus.

On a certain day, a penitent came to confess to the same priest but was refused absolution until he had made reparation for his criminal actions.  Angered, the man smeared a poison on the statue's feet in an attempt to murder his confessor.  Sure enough, in keeping with his daily routine, the priest said his prayers before the crucifix and, as he approached to kiss the foot of the corpus, the statue miraculously shifted to avoid his lips while also changing to the shiny black color it is today.  Needless to say, the priest was saved and the statue became a popular object of public devotion once word of the wonder spread.

     

Two other views of the miraculous

crucifix at the Altar of Forgiveness.

In 1935, during the Cristero War, the Chapel of Porta Coelli was closed and the crucifix was transferred to the cathedral to ensure its safety.  It has remained there ever since, behind the "Altar of Forgiveness", where it is visited by devotees because of the many signal graces reportedly obtained in its presence.

During my time in the cathedral, I was able to stay a length of time before the sacred crucifix in reflection and prayer... and observed the steady coming and goings of locals who venerated the image.  The affection for El Senor del Veneno was apparent and inspiring.

THE INCORRUPT BODY OF BL. SEBASTIAN DE APARICIO - CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, PUEBLA

While on a side trip to the city of Puebla, I had the opportunity to venerate the incorrupt body of Bl. Sebastian de Aparicio who died in there on February 25, 1600.  The visit to the church was not part of our itinerary, but because I was aware of it, I asked our guide to squeeze a visit to the relic into our schedule, which she did - Praise the Lord!  It turned out to be one of several highlights of this trip for me, and for other pilgrims in our group.  The presence of God was in that chapel.

For those not familiar with the life of this Blessed, here's a summary:  Sebastian de Aparicio was actually born in Spain in January 1502, from a poor but devout peasant family.  Highly pious himself, Sebastian was prayerful and hardworking, supporting himself by working odd jobs before sailing to Mexico in 1533.  In Puebla, he slowly built a life as a successful farmer and rancher, and became  a very wealthy man.

The body of Bl. Sebastian de Aparicio

Seeing the challenges experienced by the indiginous workers in their backbreaking transport of his products, Sebastian's wealth and influence were instrumental in having wheeled carts introduced in Mexico and paved roads built between the Puebla and Veracruz trade routes.  He also gave generously to the poor, which earned him further respect from the people, who nicknamed him the "Angel of Mexico".

Sebastian was married twice in his middle age and widowed both times after living chastely with his late wives.  When he fell seriously ill and recovered, he sold his business and gave away his possessions to the poor to join the Franciscan Order.  As a Lay-Brother, the Blessed was assigned the task of collecting alms, which afforded him contact with the local populace, who benefited from miracles he worked through his prayers.  

Sebastian de Aparicio died at the age of 98 and his funeral was a triumph with many already considering him a Saint.  His body was discovered mysteriously incorrupt 6 months after its burial and remains in the same condition in its silver urn within the Church of St. Francis.  His Beatification was celebrated on May 17, 1789.  May Bl. Sebastian pray for us all.

THE OSSUARY OF THE SERVANT OF GOD, MARIA DE LA LUZ CAMACHO - CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, COYOACAN

While on a side trip to the city of Coyoacan we visited the Church of San Juan Bautista steps away from the city's main square.  While wandering inside, I discovered a shrine at the back of the church that held the ossuary of the Servant of God, Maria de la Luz Camacho, a Martyr who died outside the main entrance of the same church.  I had read her bio many years ago and recall being impressed by her heroism... so, unexpectedly coming upon her tomb was a pleasant surprise.  I offered a prayer and told several others in our group about the ossuary and who Maria was - all were glad to learn about her and the presence of her relics.  So who was this courageous woman of faith?

Maria was born on May 17, 1907, to a prominent and pious family.  In her brief lifetime, she displayed a high degree of personal sanctity, working in her parish as a trusted Catechist, Secretary, and Treasurer.  In addition, she was active in the Catholic Action association and was a professed Third Order Franciscan; it was apparent to all who knew her that Maria was serious about her Catholic Faith and was an excellent role model in practicing it.

Under a red metal grill one could see the

wooden box enclosing the Martyr's bones.

At the time that she lived, there were Socialist revolutionaries - "Red Shirts" - who were intent on destroying the Church in Mexico.  On December 30, 1934, a group of them arrived in Coyoacan with the intent of rallying support and desecrating the parish church of San Juan Bautista.

On learning of the planned sacrilege, Maria along with a small group of parishioners, rushed to the front steps of the church to defend it from the Red Shirts.  The confrontation that ensued quickly escalated leading to the revolutionaries firing at the unarmed group at the entrance to the church.  Maria was hit several times in the chest and succumbed to her wounds shortly after the priest administered the Last Rites.

Maria de la Luz Camacho was immediately acclaimed a Martyr by the people, and her funeral was a massive event in the city.  She was only 27 when she gave her life for Jesus while shouting, "Viva Cristo Rey!"

Before closing this blog, I just want to add how impressed I was by the many wondrous things/places I saw in a short while in Mexico; it almost seemed as though every town we went to had its own miracle... and the joy and faith I witnessed in the Catholics there encouraged and uplifted me for which I am forever grateful.

Click on the link below to read Part III, which is my personal testimonial about the signal graces and signs experienced during this pilgrimage.

* * To view Mexico Pilgrimage, April 2023 - Part III (Signs), click/tap here

* * To view Mexico Pilgrimage, April 2023 - Part I (Apparitions), click/tap here